The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Manalapan Township
Mixed Data Center Policies
Manalapan allows data centers in the Millhurst and Wilson Avenue business districts, but an enacted ordinance also removes them as a permitted use in five other zones, making projects harder to approve without imposing a town-wide ban.
current law · Township of ManalapanAmends Manalapan Township’s development regulations by adding definitions and permitting data centers, instructional and vocational uses, and fitness/health clubs in the LB-M and LB-W districts, while limiting LB-M retail to 30% of site building area and requiring retail to front on Sweetmans Lane.Manalapan Township Ordinance 2012-11 (2012)
What this means
The ordinance would allow data centers in the Millhurst and Wilson Avenue business districts, making it easier to locate them there. The benefit is meaningful but limited to those zones, and the ordinance provides no special financial incentives.
People behind it
- Township Committee of the Township of Manalapan
Introduced, approved, amended, and considered the ordinance for final passage.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Data centers are expressly permitted only in the Limited Business/Millhurst (LB-M) and Limited Business/Wilson Avenue (LB-W) districts under this ordinance; the measure does not authorize them in other zoning districts.
In the LB-M district, data-center development requiring site plan approval must comply with the district’s landmark design requirements under §95-8.4.
The LB-M area available for data-center use is geographically limited by the revised zoning-map boundary, which expands the district only to specified portions of Block 78, Lots 6 and 5.01 along Sweetmans Lane.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
Data centers are expressly permitted uses in the Limited Business/Millhurst (LB-M) District, allowing them to be developed and operated there subject to other applicable requirements. Data Centers
Data centers are expressly permitted uses in the Limited Business/Wilson Avenue (LB-W) District, allowing them to be developed and operated there subject to other applicable requirements. Data Centers
The ordinance expands the LB-M District to include portions of Block 78, Lots 6 and 5.01, along the west side of Sweetmans Lane from Manalapan Brook to Kinney Road; because data centers are permitted in LB-M, this expansion increases the land area where they may be developed. expand the LB-M District
Sources
current law · Township of ManalapanWould remove “Data Centers” as a permitted use in the C-3, SED5, SED-20, SED-20/W, and OP zoning districts to allow review of their environmental, noise, utility, water-use, and electricity-consumption impacts.Manalapan Township Ordinance 2026-09 (2026)
What this means
If enacted, the ordinance would remove data centers as a permitted use in five commercial, industrial, and office zones, making new projects and expansions harder to approve there (remove “Data Centers” as a permitted use). The sources do not establish a town-wide ban or new operating rules, so this is a significant zoning barrier rather than an outright prohibition.
People behind it
- Township Committee of the Township of Manalapan
Introduced and approved Ordinance No. 2026-09.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements1
Removes data centers as a permitted use in the C-3, SED5, SED-20, SED-20/W, and OP zones.
Sources
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